This year's Liberation Day parade saw the biggest contingent of Falun Gong or Falun Dafa practitioners, with at least 127 practitioners from Taiwan, Korea, and Japan joining their 28 colleagues in the CNMI.
Yang Chun, a Chinese newspaper publisher and spokesperson for Falun Dafa in the CNMI, said the Falun Dafa practitioners in the CNMI invited those from other Asian countries to join them this year at the biggest cultural parade.
“With so many Falun Dafa in the parade, we hope to tell more people that Falun Dafa is good. Most Chinese are told by the Chinese government that Falun Dafa is evil,” said Yang, adding that more may be invited next year.
In an interview at the parade grounds, Yang said there were over 70 Falun Dafa practitioners from Taiwan, 50 from Japan and seven from Korea. They joined the 28 practitioners in the CNMI.
Falun Gong is an ancient form of refining the body and mind through special exercises and meditation. The group's participation in a silent, non-violent protest in 1999 against a renewed effort by the Chinese government to clamp down on spiritual movements caught Beijing's attention, which has since then launched several attempts to stamp out the group.
Falun Gong said thousands of its practitioners have been tortured, persecuted and killed by the Chinese government.
In the CNMI, some members of Falun Gong have sought-and have been granted refugee status.
Rep. Stanley Torres (R-Saipan), during the parade, said it is interesting to note that Falun Gong members have “dominated” the parade this year.
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